Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/42794
SPEAKOUT Broker bill has pitfalls The proposed bill to fight broker fraud in Congress ("Broker regulatory bill reintroduced," August) has major weaknesses. First, for the U.S. Department of Transportation to institute even modest enforcement would entail phenomenal expenditures. The benefit to only a modest number of carriers would be insignificant. Most importantly, carriers can check the viability and payment practices of any broker in a few seconds through two excellent credit-reporting entities with exhaustive information on every licensed broker. If a broker has no license, customers should avoid them. Truckers and carriers who have chosen brokers with poor ratings and payment practices are the ones now wanting the government to add another layer of protection to insulate them from their own poor business practices. Nearly 60 percent of carriers use factors, whose major benefit is that they scrutinize credit. For carriers that do not use factors, the credit reporting services are modestly priced. And to trump that, the leading industry load boards note brokers' creditworthiness when posting the load. It doesn't get any easier than that. Bigger brokerage firms would have little problem obtaining the larger bond should the proposed bill become law. But small brokers would be forced to close, and the larger ones would get more of the business and dictate reduced rates to carriers. If you think that is not going to happen, spend time in the office of either a broker or carrier. It is amazing to see how the two sides are constantly cognizant of the balance or imbalance to and from certain areas in the nation. Reduce the number of brokers in the marketplace, and in no time you will hear carriers whispering to themselves, "Please bring back the good old days." JACKSON SALASKY | Owner, Jackson Express Inc. | Dallas With driver demand heating up, what are your thoughts about changing carriers? "I think about changing carriers all the time." TERRY KENNEDY Owner-operator, N-Motion Logistics | Charlotte, N.C. "I'm going to stay with who I'm with." LESTER ENGLAND Averitt Express company driver | Sparta, Tenn. "I'm leased to Mercer. I just don't see the need." DENNIS SHACKELFORD Owner-operator, Mercer Transportation Missoula, Mont. "I've been with these people nine months now, and I like them. There's no use in jumping around." SHAUNN DAVIS Dynamic Transit company driver | Dothan, Ala. " Obama and his liberal minions are hell bent on destroying the capitalist system. I'm already looking for two draught horses and a wagon. — Trucker Paul Nicolay of Woodbury, Tenn., in response to the OverdriveOnline.com story "DOT updates rules timetable." " 88 OVERDRIVE OCTOBER 2011 "It depends if they are paying good. Some of them don't pay much. I haven't got any hesitation. I go for the company that pays the best." SUNDAY NCHEKWUBE Poly Trucking company driver | Dallas